Calibration And Documentation For Process Manufacturing: Costs, Benefits And Feasibility

By Jim Shields

Process manufacturing plants require hundreds, even thousands of sophisticated devices that perform countless critical operations ceaselessly, accurately, and reliably. Those devices in turn require regular inspection, testing, calibration, and repair.

Two centuries of industrial experience has established the value of carefully recording the details of those inspections, tests, calibrations, and repairs. More than a best practice, businesses and governments often require highly specific record keeping to assure that full value is delivered to customers and that the health and safety of citizens is protected.

However, traditional testing, calibration and documentation practices are also labor-intensive, and with senior operators in scarce supply, downsized teams sometimes choose to defer regular calibration.